"I knew he would be too late." "Never mind, missy," said the Captain to cheer her up, although he, too, felt sorry at the party being thus lessened in numbers; "you'll see him when we return this evening, and will then be able to tell him of all the fine sights he lost by not going with us." But Nell would not be consoled; for, in addition to Bob's not being with them, Rover was likewise an absentee, while the Captain had left Dick behind to give the cutter a good clean out, as well as perform other duties.

He thought that, perhaps, Mrs Strong might not like the boy being brought with them and treated on an equality with her own children; being taken, apparently, everywhere they went, as he had been before.

It need hardly be said, though, that such an idea never occurred to Bob's mother, who knew well how Dick had risked his life to save her son's; the thought, really, was entirely due to the old sailor's ultra conscientiousness! Under these circumstances, therefore, Nellie did not by any means enjoy the trip; nor did the elders of the party, either, seem happy, all appearing to be equally well-pleased after they had seen Southampton, where there was not very much to see after all, and the boat started back for home.
Soon after the steamer passed Calshott Castle and got into the waters of the Solent, late in the afternoon, the comfort of those on board was not increased by their getting into a thick white woolly sea-fog, which had crept over the Isle of Wight from the Channel.
On their reaching the pier at Southsea again, they found the fog had got there before them; and, crossing the common, they could hardly see each other at a couple of yards distance.
Neither the barrister nor Mrs Strong liked the appearance of things, thinking that this mist of the sea resembled one of their own "London particulars," and betokened a spell of bad weather.
The Captain, however, made light of it.
"Pooh, pooh!" cried he, "it's only brought up by the south-easterly wind and will be cleared off by the morning, when you'll probably have a hotter day than ever." This allayed Mrs Strong's forebodings in reference to the weather, and she began to wonder what had become of Bob during their absence.
"He must have found the day very long, poor boy!" she said.

"I wonder what he has been doing ?" "Oh, I've no doubt he's been amusing himself," replied the Captain cheerfully.

"I don't think Bob would remain dull very long if even left alone." The same thoughts were passing through the minds both of Nellie and her aunt, although they said nothing; and all were looking forward to their conjectures being solved as to how Bob had passed the time when they should arrive at "the Moorings." However, on coming to the house, who should greet them but Rover, who got up languidly from the doorstep, his coat all dripping with wet.
"Poor doggie!" exclaimed Nell, patting him.